The 16-mile Appoquinimink River meanders through farmlands and wetlands in southern New Castle County.

The Appoquinimink watershed, which includes the towns of Odessa, Townsend and Middletown, is one of the two fastest growing areas in the state, thus development is rampant there.

More than 30,000 acres drain into the Appoquinimink River, which is framed by tidal marshes that extend along its banks to the Delaware River. These wetlands are highly valued as habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife, and as spawning and nursery areas for fish and aquatic life. The river's headwaters drain mostly agricultural lands and feed four major ponds.

Through the years, residents in the watershed have enjoyed the many recreational opportunities provided by the river --- boating, swimming and fishing. However, many are concerned about the growing amount of algae proliferating on the ponds, as well as the large numbers of dead fish. These problems are caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus that seep into the river from the watershed.

These nutrients promote rampant algae growth, which in turn reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, leading to stress and the death of fish and other aquatic life. This excess of nutrients comes from both specific point sources, such as permitted discharges of treated wastewater from municipal and industrial treatment plants, and diffuse nonpoint sources such as runoff from farms, construction sites and residential lawns.